Research Method

I chose to use archival evidence to determine whether subscribing to a religion affects someone's moral beliefs and the difference therein depending on the religion. I chose archival because I do not have access to a truly diverse community of people with differing religions, since I am primarily in contact with Catholics or another form of Christian, therefore making any evidence I might gather skewed.

Shintoism

http://www.1000questions.net/en/religion/shinto.html

Shintoism is the traditional religion of Japan and is very different as far as religions go. It is focused not on a single god or even a pantheon of recognizable gods, but instead on a more individualistic approach. In theory, anything can really be deified, though it is more ancestors and important people who are. I always thought this religion was interesting because it gave the Japanese Emperors their power, since they were believed to be descended from the Sun Goddess and therefore already a god. That inherent divinity is what gave him his power.

Shinto today is still pretty strong. It has a huge connection to nature and helps unify the people of Japan. Even in this technology-driven world, they are still connected to their past and I really like that. But, then again, I am the History Queen!

Church of the Flying Spagetti Monster

http://www.venganza.org/about/

The Church of the Flying Spagetti Monster, also known as Pastafarianism is not a real religion. Much like Jediism, it is a pseudo-religion because it has no cohesive dogma or doctrine, which is the very first of the 7 dimensions of religion. Additionally, despite the claims that the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is not a parody religion, I truly cannot see it as real and true. Still, I can appreciate it as a parody religion. The idea that there is a giant lump of noodles up in a heaven, directing our lives and the entire universe, seems a bit ridiculous.At the same time, it makes me look twice at my own religion, which says something very similar. Though I can appreciate that aspect of the religion though, it did not shake my faith in my own religion and ultimately changed nothing about my view of life. Any real religion challenges its followers to be better people, which is something Pastafarianism does not do.

Sikhism

How many of you have ever even ever heard of Sikhism (pronounced sick-ism)? Unless you know someone who is Sikh (as I do) or have studied World Religions (as I did), you most likely have never heard of this religion. It originated in India and is actually a sort of hybrid of Islam and Christianity. It is extremely non-violent, even going to the extent where its members are vegetarian. They often grow their hair extremely long and the men wear turbans.

Sikhism is a real, legitimate religion based on my analysis using the 7 dimensions. I think that it is an interesting religion, one that I would love to explore further. I find the parallels between Sikhism and Christianity to be extremely interesting. I also like how it has managed to bring some semblance of peace and compromise to the religiously hostile region it was founded in, which is populated with both Muslims and Christians. It's doctrine to me sounds, as most good religions do, to be based in love and not in hate. Go Sikhs!

*Please be aware that the video is primarily there for show, though you are free to watch it and it is pretty interesting. My comments are often based on outside knowledge that I have in addition to whatever I post.

Neopaganism

I have been very interested in neopaganism, not as something I want to become, but from a nerdy perspective. I have always loved learning about ancient cultures, and that includes their religions. Neopaganism isn't exactly the same thing, but it does share characteristics such as a strong connection to earth and nature. While that is not my style, I do admire neopagans for their dedication to the earth. I also found their history very interesting. I never knew that it stretched back to the Enlightenment and 18th Century Romanticism. That kind of surprised me, as I had thought initially that neopaganism was a more recent thing. Overall, I find their way of life very interesting and would like to learn more.

Jediism

http://www.templeofthejediorder.org/

Jediism (or Jedism) is not actually technically a religion. It has no official doctrine, which is one of the components of a true religion. Jediism itself however is very proud of the fact that it is an auxiliary religion, hinging on following the Jedi Creed (based on the Prayer of Saint Francis) and generally being a good person rather than an institution with a complicated hierarchy. They are not delusional or roleplaying. Instead, the idea is that they are working towards a world that is peaceful and diverse and recognizes the worth of each human.

All Christians are Jedis. All Muslims are Jedis. All Buddhists are Jedis. All people of any religion that is real (real defined as follows the 7 dimensions of religion) are most likely adhering to Jedi beliefs and that is the thing I like best about Jediism. Whatever your particular religion, it is probably about acceptance and love and peace. Unless you are a Viking from the 1100s, you have probably grown up with teachings that urge you to be peaceful, tolerant, and loving for all people. So, if you are a faithful Christian/Muslim/Jew/Buddhist/Hindu/Taoist/Jain/Sikh/Zoroastrian/I-ran-out-of-religions-I-could-think-of-off-the-top-of-my-head and not an extremist, you are probably already following the Jedi Way. All that's left is to take the Jedi Creed. I know I am a proud Jedi! :)

The Jedi Creed

I am a Jedi, an instrument of peace;

Where there is hatred I shall bring love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.
 

I am a Jedi.
 

I shall never seek so much to be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The Force is with me always, for I am a Jedi.

Note: The creed has been adapted from the prayer of Francis of Assisi.

Introduction: Religion

Hello! I’m Meg Szydlik. I’m a student and this blog is for my sociology class. My topic is Religion. I’ve decided to explore all the different religions in the world, the serious ones and the more fun ones. The most important thing to understand about religion (I think) is the difference between a legitimate religion and a cult, which can be determined using the 7 Dimensions of Religion (Shout out to DLong!). I won’t get too in depth, but all religions that I will put on this blog will have these seven parts. Number one is doctrine, which is the set of documents and beliefs that the religion is based on, like the Bible. Number two is a community that is founded on the doctrine, like a church. Number three is ritual, such as a baptism. Number four is myths, like the creation story or the legends of some saints (like Saint George). Number five is the materials that have meaning for the community, such as the crucifix or rosary. Number six is the ethical dimension and how being in the religion changes the individual for the better and allows them to grow and become an individual. And the seventh and final dimension is the experiential (not experimental, experiential) which allows for change because it opens the religion up to outside influences to be challenged. Overall, I will be focusing on real religions that are out there and have all seven dimensions. This does not mean my posts will be serious! I will be looking at a different religion every week and believe me there are some pretty crazy ones out there. In fact, my first article is going to be exploring a religion based on a movie set in a galaxy far, far away…